ROME, Italy, July 27. AFTER Germany's Paul Biedermann lowered the men's 400 free world record last night, the swimming community looked towards a potential epic matchup between the newly-minted world record holder and superstar Michael Phelps in the 200 free.

Biedermann and Phelps did their part in prelims with a 1-2 finish. Biedermann qualified first in 1:45.30, while Phelps took the second seed into semis with a 1:45.60. With both likely moving through semis this evening, the two could put on an historic battle in the finale.